Clamp means for joining vertically offset metal tops



June 14, 1960 E. c. BULLOCK CLAMP MEANS FOR JOINING VERTICALLY OFFSET METAL TOPS 17, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct.

INVENTOR. EARLE c. BULLOCK ATTORN EY June 14, 1960 E. c. BULLOCK CLAMP MEANS FOR JOINING VERTICALLY OFFSET METAL TOPS Filed Oct. 17, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. BY EARLE c. BULLOCK ATTORNEY United States Patent MEANS FOR JOINING VERTICALLY OFFSET TOPS CLAMP Filed Oct. 17, 1955, Ser. No. 540,735 8 Claims. c1. 311-4 This :invention relates to clamp means for joining vertically ofi'set tops of metal furniture units. More particularly, this invention relates to clamp means for joining and supporting to the edge of a metal table a vertically ofi set, free, unsupported end of a metal desk.

Desks of the type which have a table extending along their sides have become increasingly popular. Such units provide the convenience of both front and side working space. These units have generally been custom made. Sometimes they have been modified in the field to adapt them to this type of installation. This has made this type of arrangement very expensive. Such units have also been very difficult to separate for relocation. This invention relates to furniture units of metal construction which can be disassembled readily to facilitate movement and relocation. It also provides an easy and simple means of initially installing the unit.

An object of this invention is to provide an easy and simple means of joining and supporting the free unsupported end of a unit of metal furniture upon the top of a supported unit of metal furniture.

Another object of this invention is to provide a clamping means for supporting and anchoring the free unsupported end of a metal furniture top to the side of a supported metal furniture top, such means being usable in metal furniture units of conventional design.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a clamp adapted 'to support and anchonthe free unsupp'orted end of a metal desk to the side of a-me tal table whose top is vertically offset from the'desk.

i A further object of this invention is to provide a clamp whichin addition to meeting the above objectives also provides a means for slidably mounting one edge of a desk drawer.

Other objects of upon reading the following specification in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

"Fig 1' shows in perspective the arrangement of a desk having-a free unsupported end secured to the side of the table. 7 Q

Fig. 2 is an exploded oblique View of one of the clampst Fig. 3 shows a fragmentary bottom view of the desk and table combination. I

Fig. 4 shows an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along IV-IV of Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is an oblique view of a modified form of this invention.

Fig. 6 is an oblique exploded view of a clamp used for the arrangement illustrated in Figure 5.

Fig. 7 shows a fragmentary bottom view connecting the unsupported free end of the desk to the table.v

Big. 8 shows an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along the plane I1'IIII of Fig. 7 (said view bein inverted from that produced 'by projection) this invention will become evident of the clamp' vertical web of bar Fig. 9 shows an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along the plane IXIX of Fig. 7.

Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along the plane XX of Pi g. 3.

Briefly, this invention is concerned with a clamping means for securing and supporting the free, unsupported end of a top of a metal furniture unit upon a supported top which is vertically offset from the first top. A modified form of this invention is adapted to support one edge of a drawer for the unsupported top.

' Referring to Fig. 1 there is shown the desk 10 having a top 13 supported at one end by the drawer well 11 and leg 12. The other end of the desk is secured to and supported by the table 20. The table 20 has a top 21 supported by the legs 22. The clamping unit 40 secures the desk top 13 to the table top 21 w from the top 13. v

The structure of the desk top 10 includes a metal panel 18 flanged along its edges to form the front, back and side aprons 19 (Fig. '4). The lower ends of aprons 19 are wrapped under and turned inwardly to form wrapped under flanges. The panel 18 is supported and stiffened by the parallel, hat-shaped channels 30 extending lengthwise of the desk and terminating at the end near the aprons 19 (Figs. 3 and 4). These channels are welded to the bottom surface of the panel 18. Aprons 19 are inwardly crimped, creating a recess 31 which serves as a means of anchoring the anchor strip 37 for the top surfacing material 32.

The apron 19 is reinforced and supported at the front and rear of the desk top by a somewhat Z-shaped reinforcement member 36. One end of the channel 36 nests in the lower end of apron 19 and is secured thereto by welding. The other end bears against and is welded to the bottom surface of 'panel 18. Adjacent this end the channel 36 has a vertical we The drawer wells carry drawers 14 and are secured to the top structure by hold down angles 33 secured to the 36 by welding or otherwise. Angles 33 have openings 34 therein for securing the drawer wells by screws, bolts, or any other suitable means.

The table 20 is also ofmetal construction having a metal panel 25 turned down and inwardly to form the apron 26; Similar to the construction of the desk 10, the aprons 26 are crimped inwardly to form the channels 27 which serve as means for anchoring anchor strip 38 V for the top surfacing material 28. A reinforcement bar 29, of somewhat ZV-shape, is welded to the end of the wrapped under flange of the apron 26 and to the undersurface of the panel 25 thus reinforcing the apron 26.

The clamp 40 is used to lock the table and desk together. It includes the brackets 42 on each end of the hanger plate 41, and the facing plate 43 adapted to fill the gap between the tops 13 and 21 to assure a satisfactory ornamental appearance. The hanger plate 41 is an L-shaped plate havinga foot portion 44 bent outwardly and then upwardly to form a channel. At its'upper end the hanger plate 41 is notched out, creating an inwardly turned stop lip45. To the other face of hanger plate 41there is welded. a pair of anglesv 46 extending in the opposite direction from stop lip 45.

The mounting brackets 42 are triangular in shape and have inwardly turned bearing flanges 47 at their tops. Each flange 47 has an aperture 48 adapted to receive the bolts 49. The mounting brackets 42 are welded or attached by any suitable means to the hanger 41 beneath the top 13. V The facing plate 43 has the countersunk openings 51 through which the screws 52 W are adapted to be inserted to secure the plate lay-means of Patented June 14, 1960 ch is vertically offset hanger plate. 41, the mounting.

the screws 52 to the hanger and is secured therein .by the: screws,

' thetop. 13; In. thisimodification,

. desktop 13 andtable top 21 is exactly the same as'previouslydescribed, 3 Thus, there is shown theitable top .13

-. iorfthe top covering rnaterial 3z;

facing plate to give of apron 19 and the stop lip-45' bears against the hat-shaped channels 30. In thisposi- The holes 51 are countersunk. so that theheads.

. top of plate The. flangeot angle 46..seats on the tion; the hanger. 4 1.is rigidly secured to' theunderstrueture of'desk [top 13." l

. Apron 26" is seated in the channel of foot'portion 44 54 which in many. 'casesmay be unnecessary; The facingplate 43 fits ber pose of maintaining the vertical spacing. of the'topsas wellgas carrying the weight of top and filling the gap;

' therebetweentogive a finished ornamental; appearance. a Withthisarrangement the desk top 13. issupported by the .table'20'in overlapping. position,.thereby providing arigid.

' and stable supporting'structure.

Assembling of the desk 10 to table -byjthe clamping unit is simple. Theflange of angle 46 is inserted to seat uponthe top of the' wrapped under portion of the.

15. tween the. overlapping tops-13 and121 and serves the purprovided for securing the bracket angles 34.

' In this modification the faq'ng plate 73 servesthe same. purpose and is mounted exactly the same as previously described. It is adapted to fitbetween the bottom edge. of top 13 and the upper edge of top 21. ;The screw 74, extending through hole 75?;irr: facing plate 73 and'th'readed into hole76 of the hanger. 61, securesthe. facingplate 73 in place on hanger 61a 'i The hanger plate 61 i this modification has a top flange 66 bent outwardly. The-foot portion 6810f thehahger plate :1 61 is formed exactly .like: foot. portiontdd previously described. V f Y Figs. '7, 8, and 9. show the, desk. lfl and table. 20 secured together'by'clamping unit 60. Fig. 9illustrates to the hold down the means for securing;therearrbrackefi fl to the undera structure of the desk.

apron 19.. Then the hole 148' in' the flange-47 of the bracket 42 is aligned with selected openings33 of thehold downzangle 34. The bolt'49 is. inserted. through the holes. and the nut 53 'is installed and tightened; With;

thez nut; 53 tightened-onthe bolt .49, the plate 41 is-rigid:

7 1y. secured to the edge of the desk 10.withthelipASbear-Z ing .against-thehat shaped channels- 30 and the flanges" f. angles resting onthe wrapped underportion ofithe apron 19. .After the plate is rigidly secured to the desk 10,,t he. apron:26"s inserted intheichannel formedby the tent. portion 44:. of the hangerAL- The screw-'54 is a threaded through the opening inthesupstanding"portion oftherfoot 44 and it is madeg'to bearagainst the reinforcementmember 29, The. iacingfplate-43 between the tops 13 and; 21.and;-;.is-secured by the; screws52.." i

v Figs. 5 throughi9. show. a. modified form of this. invention, such modificationpertaining to thosecases where the desk 10 has 'a drawer is ;then inserted '59 supported immedatelyunder the.- structure of th having'apanel 18 and apron. l9, crimpedinwardly to forn the channel 31 for reception of anchoringstrip 37- 7 There is also shown.

the hold down angles 34; atta inglengthwiseof. thefdesk top and secured'to'the panel; '18; The.- table top constrmition: includes the anerzs andtheapron 26 crimp ed" inwardly 'at itsgtop" mrmm; V K V V at the end ofthe,coveringmaterial28. The; apron :zsn reinforced bytlie reinforcementmember29. 1

the-.ehannel27 serving to; anchor; the strip-38 :Basically, theclamp is the s previously described; =In' clamp 60- however, structure is V providedito serve-the function of :"slidabl y mountingjone 'edgeof the drawer 59.

wardly spaced from pp 7 V ched'to the' edge reinforce-' mentchannels' 36fand thehat -shaped cannel; 30 extendmounted on the track The assembly of desk.

aligned with f the openings This s'tructureis very similar to that previously desc 'bed in relation to clam'ping' unit 40. The flange seats on the. 'wrapped under. p'grtion ofapron .19 andthe bracket 62 bears -against hold angles,:34. Hole 71 is aligned with a'selectedhole; 33ioiithe; angle .34, and bolt 49. extending .therethrouglmsccures bracketf62 to :the hold fdown. angle by'meansof; nut53. i a I At; thefrontof the clamping-unit 60,"v the;.braeket-: is secured to the hold down. angle -34'by bolt 49 extend.- ingthrough one of the holes 76 in the angle 78"andan.-

'alignedhole. 33 'ofhold down angle 34. The apron 63 77 of b'racket 70. issecured. hides towhich the plate- 7 the bracket from the view-ofgone standing. in front: of; the. desk and atithe same time spaces the'frame. 64 a? suificient. distance from hanger 61- so that it. can. slid ably support the, drawer. 59. Drawer 59'iSi-1SlldablY; by means 7 of the runner: 0a the drawer. v V r In secured position onthe'understructure of the desk top;13,.the hanger 61'dep ends downwardly. The-:foot portionlfifi receives and seats theapron=26 of the table. top.

; 21. Apron 26 is secured in the ehannelof'the foot portion 68 by screws '69. Facing-plate-73.--is secured.between the tops 13 and 2 1 to the hanger plate 61 by; screws- 74 6x11 tending through thecountersunk holes-75, andinto tappedholes 76; .The.;facing plate 73 serves. theexact function as 'facing plate }.43 described previouslyin thedescriptioni of:Figs.1.to.4.' 7 i 10 andtable'zo with the clamp. 60.is .very simple. First the flange is hooked oven the; wrapped underportion ofv theapron'19; Then the holes; 71 and 76 ofithe brackets 62 and 70 respectively are 3330f the hold downiangles f desktop 13.- The. boltssfl 34 on the. front and back ere-inserted through thealigned holes and the n l:1ts;53

' installed '75 .andlthreadede into. the

tightened..,- With the bolts 49 securing-the brackets: 23nd to the @table top 13, thef apron 26 of top 21 is seatedin gthe channel oi-the foot 68. The screw69. is tightened: to. secure the: apronrin 1 the channel of foot oi-no ed. tr te. facing plate 434 then inserted between the tops and is fixed in place-h3g therscrews: 74 extending "through the countersunk holes I holes. 761015 the hanger plate 61'. With the clamp 60. in place the.drawer.59 having\ the drawer runner or guide .80 isuslidz'tbly. mounted in unit of furniture. The clamp simple and easy5to assemble.-

welded to the inner side of the hanger plate 61.- Fixed-E the bae ao pmn 3-r. The angle-:78iis welded at. the;

the desk with the drawer runners' 801riding'on the track. 65.. J r i It will" be" seen that there has been provided a'clamp. adapted to attach the free unsupported end ofa'metal unit of-turniture to. asupported top'of another-metal for accomplishing this is 7 'In one modified form'of inventionithe clamp" is adapted to support one "edge of a sliding drawer for V sembly of thezdeskh and gthe table tops': can be efiected simply -by;'loo'senin'g'.the screws of the. faceplate; remov ing the face platepzandzlooseningitheg screw imltlieiooti 77 forming a, flange having holes 76 therein thedesk. In either form portion ofthe hanger to permit the apron 26 to be lifted out of the foot portion.

It should be understood that in describing this invention and the modifications thereof, such descriptionhas been made for purposes of illustration only. Various modifications of this invention may be made, eachwithout departing from the principles thereof. It should be especially understood that this invention should not be limited to the exact structure of the table and the desk as shown in the specification, nor should the exact structure of the clamps be considered to be the only structure which can be used within the spirit of this invention. The structure of such clamps shall be considered to be limited only as set forth in the appended claims. Various modifications are to be considered as included in the hereinafter appended claims unless these claims by their language expressly state otherwise.

I claim:

1. In a metal furniture assembly the combination comprising: a supported metal top and a top with an unsupported free end, said tops being vertically ofiset from each other and having rigid depending side aprons; clamp means for locking said free end to said supported top, said clamp means including a mounting bracket secured to the underside of said unsupported top end adjacent its apron; a hanger plate secured at one end to said brackets and having another end extending beyond the level of said supporting top; and means for securing said apron of said supported top to said other end of said hanger plate whereby the weight of said unsupported top end is transmitted by said clamp means to said supported top.

2. In a metal furniture assembly the combination comprising: a supported metal top and a top with an unsupported free end, said tops being vertically offset from each other and having rigid depending side aprons; clamp means for locking said free end to said supported top, said clamp means including mounting brackets secured to the underside of said unsupported top end adjacent its apron; a hanger plate secured at one end to said brackets and having another end depending downwardly from said brackets below the level of said supported top; and means for securing said apron of said supported top to said other end of said hanger plate whereby the weight of said unsupported top end is transmitted by said clamp means to said supported top.

3. In a metal furniture assembly the combination comprising: a supported metal top and a top with an unsupported free end, said tops being vertically offset from each other and having rigid depending side aprons; clamp means for locking said free end to said supported top, said clamp means including mounted brackets secured to the underside of said unsupported top end adjacent its apron; a hanger plate secured at one end to said brackets and having another end extending beyond the level of said supported top; said other end having a channel adapted to receive said apron of said supported top; and means for securing said apron of said supported top in said channel whereby the weight of said unsupported top end is transmitted by said clamp means to said supported top.

4. In a metal furniture assembly the combination comprising: a supported metal top and a top with an unsupported free end, said tops being vertically ofiset from each other and having rigid depending side aprons; clamp means for locking said flee end to said supported top, said clamp means including mounting brackets secured to the underside of said unsupported top end adjacent its apron; a hanger plate secured at one end to said brackets and having another end depending downwardly from said brackets beyond the level of said supported top; means securing said apron of said supported top to said other end of said hanger plate whereby said unsupported top end overlaps an edge of said supported top; and a facing plate secured to said hanger between said tops and adapted to bear against the unsupported top end and the top edge of said supported top. 7 t

5. In a metal furniture assembly the combination comprising: a supported metal top and a top with an unsupported free end, said tops being vertically offset from each other and having rigid depending side aprons; clamp means forlocking saidfree end to said supported top, said clamp means including mounting brackets secured to the underside of said unsupported top end adjacent its apron; a hanger plate secured at one end to said brackets and hav' g another end extending beyond the level of said supported top; said other end having a chan nel adapted to receive said apron of said supported top; and means for securing said apron of said supported top in said channel whereby said unsupported top end overlaps an edge of said supported top; and a facing plate secured to said hanger between said tops and adapted to bear against the bottom edge of said unsupported top end and the top edge of said supported top.

6. In a metal furniture assembly the combination comprising: a supported metal top and a top with an unsupported free end, said tops being vertically offset from each other and having rigid depending side aprons; clamp means for locking said free end to said supported top, said clamp means including mounting brackets secured to the underside of said unsupported top end adjacent its apron; an L-shaped hanger plate having a web secured to said brackets and depending therefrom and having a foot portion forming a channel receiving the apron of said supported top; a lip extending inwardly from the upper portion of said hanger and adapted to bear against the understructure of said unsupported top; a flange extending outwardly from the upper portion of said hanger plate and seated upon wrapped under portions of the apron of said unsupported top; and means for securing said apron of said supported top in said channel.

7. In a metal furniture assembly the combination comprising: a supported metal top and a top with an unsupported free end, said tops being vertically offset from each other and having rigid depending side aprons; clamp means for locking said free end to said supported top, said clamp means including mounting brackets secured to the underside of said unsupported top end adjacent its apron; an L-shaped hanger plate having a web secured to said brackets and depending therefrom and having a foot portion forming a channel adapted to receive the apron of said supported top; a lip extending inwardly from the upper portion of said hanger and bearing against the understructure of said unsupported top; a flange extending outwardly from the upper portion of said hanger plate and seated upon wrapped under portions of the apron of said unsupported top; and means for securing said apron of said supported top in said channel whereby said unsupported top end overlaps an edge of said supported top; and a facing plate secured to said hanger between said tops bearing against the bottom edge of said unsupported top end and the top edge of said supported top.

8. In a metal furniture assembly the combination comprising: a supported metal top and a top with unsupported free end having a drawer underneath, said tops being vertically oiiset from each other and having rigid depending side aprons; clamp means for locking said free end to said supported top, said clamp means including mounting brackets secured to the underside of said unsupported top end adjacent its apron; a hanger plate se cured at one end to said brackets and having another end depending downwardly from said bracket below the level of said support top; said other end having a channel receiving said apron of said supported top; means for securing said apron of said supported top in said channel whereby the weight of said unsupported top end is transmitted by said clamp means to said supported top; and a frame extending inwardly from said hanger plate and bottom edge of said; 

